I feel like this song sums up everything I like about MJ Lenderman. Great word play, funny lyrics, but also very heartfelt and earnest. Goes without saying that the guitar playing is great. Can't recommend it enough.
Hard to pick just one song from MJ Lenderman's Manning Fireworks (which Lance Bangs wrote about for Perfectly Imperfect) but Joker Lips is definitely a favorite. It's packed with some of the best Lendermanisms of the whole record
Kahlúa shooter, DUI scooter
With a rolling start on the hill
This morning's tryin' to kill me
This morning wants to kill me
It also came with a perfect music video from uncle_hesh which elevated the experience for sure.
The first two lines of the chorus:
'You can never be strong,
You can only be free'
Sums up everything great about Robert Pollard's songwriting. Drama, hope and disappointment.
